Carrying and guiding apparatus for punching-machines.



` PATRNTRD' MAY 23, 1905. Y J. J. DAVIRS.` CARRYING AND GUIDING APPARATUS FOR PUNGHING MACHINES APPLICATION FILED NOV. 18, 1904.

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.PATENTED MAY'zs, 1905.

J. J. DAvIjs. 'CARRYING AND 'GUIDING APPARATUS PoR PUNGHING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 16,-1904.

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Jaim J ,fazay 76@ Arroz No. 790,559. y PATNTED MAY 2s, 1905.

J. J. DAVIES.

CARRYING lAND GUIDING APPARATUS POR PUNGHING MACHINES. v APPLIOATION FILED Nov.'16, 1904.

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PATENTED MAY 23, y1905.

'3. J. DUTIES- lGARRYVING AND GUIDING APPARATUS POR PUNGHING MACHINES.

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APPLIUATION FILED NOV. 16, 1904. y

INVENOR.

WITNESSES,

* UNITED STATES Patented May 2s, 1905'.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN J. DAVIES, OF JOHNSTOVVN, PENNSYLVANIA.

CARRYING AND GUIDING APPARATUS-FOR PUNCHING-NIACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 790,559, dated May 23, 1.905. Application filed November 16, 1904. Serial No. 232,910.

To ctZ'Z whom, t may concern,.-

Be it known that I, Jol-IN J. DAvrEs, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Johnstown, in the county of Oambria and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oarrying'and Guiding Apparatus for Punching-Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

' In punching structural material it is necessary in order that the punched holes shall be fair and accurately spaced to have said material rest truly and with a certain degree of firmness on the die-block at the time of punching. This is also essential to the life of the punch, as any movement of the aforesaid material, which is situated directly over the die, in any direction other than in line with the axis of the punch is liable to cause fracture ofthe punch or material, as will be readily understood by those skilled in this art.

One of the customary ways of handling material through a single punch is to guide the piece and hold the same on the die by hand.

When a multiple punch is used, the usual method of supporting the material as it passes over the die while being conveyed through the punching-machine by the traveling carriage thereof has been to allow the lower surface of the material to rest directly on the die. The dies are therefore constantly in contact with the material at all times during the punching operation, and the continual dragging of said material over their faces causes them to wear rapidly, necessitating the frequent renewal of dies due to this cause alone, and I have invented my adjustable carrying and guiding-apparatus for the purpose of avoiding the difhculties stated.

My invention in general consists of adjustable roller supports which can be placed near to the dies and readily attached to the framework of any style of punching-machine, and although I have herein for the sake of simplicity in the drawings and specification shown my apparatus in connection with the punching' ofthe ianges of I-beains I wish it l understood that it may also be used or adapted for use in connection with other shapes or sections, as may be readily understood and as referred to hereinafter.

Afurthcr object of my invention is to provide means for adjustment of the apparatus such that the position of the iiange of a beam easily clear the face of the die and at the same time afford a support that will when the punch descends and comes in contact the punchingsurface of the beam readily yield and allow the aforesaid beam-flange to rest firmly and fairly on the face of the die, thus producing accurate work and maintaining the tools in good condition. To accomplish these ends, I

ranged as to support a beam on the under side of its flange as it is being traversed through a punching-machine, said rollers being in turn supported by a plunger carried by a spiral spring resting on a disk, said disk being raised or lowered at will by an adjustable bolt which has for its support a casing or frame, which also acts as a guide for said plunger, said casing or frame being provided with iianges or lugs, whereby it is connected to the framework of a punching-machine by bolts or by 4other suitable means. i

Another particular and important feature of my invention resides in the fact that the carrying-rollersof my apparatus are arranged in pairs, one of which supports each side of the lower surface of the upper flange of a beam or other section, and asthis lower surface is the one which passes over the dies the support is thus provided in the best place for accomplishing the purpose desired. If, for example, the beam should be supported on its bottom, this would lead to inaccuracies, as rolled beams and other similar sections are from their very nature of slightly-varying heights, and a bottom support would thereyfore not provide the accurate registry with the dies and punches essential for the best work. Y

It should also be noted that the carryingrollers of my apparatus are arranged at an angle to conform with that of the inner surface of t-he beam-iianges, and although this is the can be so regulated as to allow the same to provide a roller or rollers so located and ar- I only form of roller shown in the drawings 1 wish it understood that other shapesV can be used to suit the configuration of any section which it is desired to support through the punching-machine.

My apparatus also includes side rollers or guides which bear against the web of the beams or sides of other sections to be punched, thereby maintaining the material in alinement as it is passed through the machine, and in order to readily7 allow a piece to be entered between said side rollers or-guides one of them is mounted on a spring-support, and to adjust these side rollers to suit the alinement and thickness of the piece they are adjustable laterally. An important feature of the arrangement of these side rollers is that in the ease of a beam or other web and flange section the side rollers rest against the web thereof, and as the webs of rolled sections are ordinarily true and of certain thickness the guiding, and consequently the alinement, of the punching' of the piece is thus accurately accomplished, Whereas, on the contrary, the attempt to guide a beam or other section by the edges of its projecting flanges results in inaccuracy, as these latter portions of the section are somewhat irregular and of varying dimensions, as will be understood by those familiar with the art of rollingsuch sections. Another important feature is the adjustability of these side rollers on the bed of the machine and the spring-support for one of each pair, thus permitting a proper setting of the apparatus and allowing the beam to easily pass into and out of themachine.

Although I have shown my apparatus in connection with a multiple-punching machine arranged for punching I-beams, it can also be used with any style of punch and for supporting other shapes, such as rails, channels, deckbeams, T-bars, angles, or other flanged sections.

Although my apparatus may be used for supporting and guiding single-flanged sections-sueh as angles, channels, 85e., which have only flanges projecting in one direction from their webs--I prefer when dealing' with sections of this character to place two of them back to back and, if necessary, clamp them together prior to passing them through the punching-machine, thereby making a pair or symmetrical piece which will bear on the rollers on both sides of its longitudinal axis, t-hus balancing the material and preventing it from tipping over sidewise and also doubling the work of the tool.

Having thus given a general description of my invention, 1 will now in order to make the same more clear refer to the four sheets of drawings which form part of this specification, and in which like ligures refer to like parts.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a multiplepunching machine with my adjustable carrying and guiding apparatus attached toits main framework. Fig. 2 is a front elevation, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of the cross-head of a punching-machine litted with punches, punch-holders, and other devices, together with my adjustable carrying and guiding apparatus supported on its main frame. Fig. 3 is a rear view of the portion of the cross-head, frame, and certain other parts of a multiple punch corresponding to Fig. 2, showing my apparatus and particularly the pair of side rollers so located as to bear against the web of the beam to guide it laterally as it passes over the dies. Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-section of the seat aud frame supporting the dieblocks, showing also a portion of the crosshead of a multiple-punchingmachine,together with a partial end view of my apparatus. Fig. 5 is a vertical section of one of my carryingrollers and its mounting` and shows the recessed bearing-block and spiral spring supporting the plunger, also the disk supporting said spiral spring and the :uljusting-holt which serves to raise or lower the plunger to any desired height.

Referring now to the characters of reference shown on the drawings, 1 represents the reciprocating cross-head of a multiple-punching machine in the act of punching the flange of I-beams 2 and 3, which are attached to the carriage 23. (Shown in part only, for the reason that this carriage forms no part of my invention.)

4 represents punches, which at the beginning of the punching operation force the beamflanges down on the dies 21 in addition to their work of punching the holes.

5 is a frame having [langes G and 7, which are connected tothe frame 1 of the punchingmachine by bolts 8 and 9. This frame also has a recess 1() and a threaded hole l2 at the bottom of said recess in which the adjustable bolt 11 is mounted, with its end in contact with the disk 13, which latter carries the spiral spring 14, in which is inserted the reduced end 15 of the plunger 16, all as shown in Fig.

2O represents the rollers, which form a direct bearing for the beams while in transit over the dies 21, said rollers being revolubly mounted on the bolts 19, which are secured in the hole 18 in the head 17 of the plunger 113, which bears against the shoulder formed hy the reduced end 15 of said plunger, as shown.

lt should be noted that the rollers 2O are revolubly mounted on the ends of bolts or shafts 19, so that the downwardly-projecting web of the beam or the corresponding portion of any other section may pass freely between the pair of rollers which are located on oppesite sides of the longitudinal axis of the material to be punched. lt should also benoted that the size, shape, and arrangement of these rollers 2O are such that they bear against the lower surfaces of the upper flanges of the sections to be punched at points near to the webs IOO IOS

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tions-that is, with their axes in different planes-if expedient or necessary.

22 represents side rollers supported by and adjustably connected to the frame 1.of the punching-machine by the brackets 25, and 22' represents similar rollers provided with spring-supports 24, mounted adjustably on the brackets 26, ,which in turn are adjustably secured to the main frame of the machine. as shown. webs of the beams as they are being carried along by the carriage 23, and thereby hold the same to the correct line, while the rollers 20 support the beams from the under side of their flanges.

Brackets 27 are attached to the reciprocating cross-head l of the punching-machine, said brackets being provided with rollers at their lower ends, which throughout the lower portion of the stroke of the cross-head engage with the exterior .surfaces of the spring-supports 24; but as these brackets and the rollers mounted on their lower ends are merely incidental to and form no part of myinvention it will be unnecessary to referto them further herein.

The manner of operating my invention is'as follows: Referring to Fig. 1, numbers 2 and 3 represent beams which are being moved through the multiple-punching machine by means of a carriage,(shown inpart by the section numbered 23,) to which they are temporarily secured. As these beams pass over the dies 14 they are supported ou my adjustable carrying apparatus placed nearby, which has been adjusted, as already described, so that the flanges of said beams neatly clear the said dies.

vWhile thus supported the carriage is stopped and the punches brought into action. The beams are thereby forced down so as to rest firmly on the dies, this movement being permitted by the spring-supported rollers of my apparatus. While the beams are in this position the operation of punching oneset of vholes is completed. The punches are then drawn back to their upper position. Meanwhile, the pressurev exerted by the punches being removed, my adjustable carrying apparatus by virtue of its spring attachment raises the beams to their former position., While so located said beams are moved forward by the carriage 23 and guided by the side rollers 22 and 22', bearing against the beam-webs, until they are in position for punching the next set of holes, when the operation already de- 'scribed is repeated.

invention inv con- These side rollers bear against thev siderabledetail, I do 'not wish to be limited to the exactand specific particulars of the arrangements and details shown, but may use such substitutions, modifications, or equivalents thereof as are embraced in the scope of my invention as pointed out in the claims.

Having thus given a description of my invention, what l claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination with a punching-machine, provided with punches and dies, of a plurality of carrying-rollers, each of said rollers being-provided with a spring-support and so arranged that the upper portion of its pel riphery is normally at a level slightly higher than the surfaces of the dies.

2. The combination with a punching-machine, provided with punches and dies, of one or more pairs of oppositely-located rollers revolubly mounted upon supports provided with adjustable springs, which normally maintain the upper peripheries of said rollers at a level slightly higher than the upper surfaces of the dies, said springs being adapted to yield and permit the punches in their downward motion to bring the material to be punched, into contact with the dies.

3. The combination with a punching-ma- Y chine ofvone or more pairs of oppositely-arranged rollers revolubly mounted on shafts or bolts, the axes of which are inclined in a position parallelwith the lower surfaces of the beam-frange or other shape to be punched, said shafts or bolts being carried on supports provided with springs, whereby the uppersurfaces of the rollers are normally at a level slightly higher than the surfaces of the dies.

4. The'` combination with a punching-machine, of' a plurality of spring-mounted carrying-rollers arranged in oppositely-located pairs, one of eachl pair being on either side of the longitudinal axes of the pieces which they are adapted to carry, said rollers being provided With lateral adjustment such that each pair can be brought near together, thereby producing a narrow opening between the same into which the web or flange of the supported piececan freely project.

5. The combination with a punching-machine, of a plurality of carrying-rollers, each of said rollers being revolubly mounted upon a shaft or bolt, the-axis of which is parallel with the surface of the material resting on ysaid rollers, spring-supports for said shafts or bolts and means for the verticaladjustment of the same. Y

6. The combination with a punching-machine of a plurality of carrying-rollers, each of said rollers being revolubly mounted upon a shaft or bolt the axis of which is parallel with the surface of the material to be carried, spring-supports for said shafts or bolts and,` means for the vertical and lateral adjustment of said supports. l Y 7. The combination witha punching-ma.-V

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chine, of. an apparatus for carrying and guiding flanged sections therethrough, comprising a plurality of spring-supported rollers, the upper peripheries of said rollers being normally at a level slightly higher than the surfaces of the dies, a pair of guiding-rollers mounted on vertical axes on either side of the piece to be punched, said side rollers being arranged to bear upon and guide the web of the material as it passes through the machine.

8. The combination-with a punching-machine of an apparatus for carrying and guiding flanged sections therethrough, comprising a plurality of spring-supported rollers, the upper peripheries of said rollers being normally at a level slightly higher than the surface ofthe die, a pair of guiding-rollers mounted on vertical axes on either side of the piece to be punched, said side rollers being arranged to bear upon and guide the web of the mate- -rial as it passes through the machine, and

means for laterally adjusting said rollers.

9. In a punching-machine provided with punches and dies, arranged for punching flanged material, a pair of guiding rollers or disks, adjustably mounted one on either s-ide of the longitudinal axis of the pieces to be punched and arranged to bear against the vertical webs thereof, one of said rollers being provided with aspring-support,thereby adapting said guiding-rollers to come into contact with the webs of said flanged material and maintain said contact during the passage thereof through the machine.

10. In a machine for punching the flanges of an I-beam or similar section, a pair of carrying-rollers, the upper peripheries of which are normally at a level slightly higher than the surface of the die, one of said rollers being at either side of the longitudinal axis of said beam, said rollers being revolubly mounted on shafts or bolts the axes of which are parallel with the lower surfaces of the beamflanges, said shafts or bolts being carried on plungers provided with means for vertically and laterally adjusting the same.

11. 1n a machine for punching the flanges of an I-beam or similar section, a pair of carrying-rollers, one of which is at either side of the longitudinal axis of said beam, said rollers being revolubly mounted on the projecting ends of shafts or bolts, the aXes of which are parallel with the lower surface of the beamflange, said shaft being carried on plungers provided with vertically and laterally adjustable spring-supports, a pair of side rollers arranged to bear, one on either side of the beamweb, said side rollers being revolubly mounted on laterally-ad j ustable supports, one of said supports being provided with a spring.

. 12. The combination with a machine for punching I-beams and other flanged shapes, of a plurality of carrying-rollers, each of said rollers being mounted upon a shaft having the same inclination as the lower surface of the beam-flange, a plunger-support for said shaft, said plunger being carried on a spring adjustably mounted in a support, and means for adjusting said spring and support.

13. The combination with a machine for punching I-beams and similar flanged sections, of a plurality of rollers adapted to support said beams by the lower surfaces of the upper flanges thereof, a pair of side guidingrollers, arranged one on each side of the beamweb, a spring-support for one of said side rollers, and means for laterally adjusting said supports.

1-1. The combination with a punching-machine, of a plurality of oppositely-located carrying-rollers adapted to support flanged sections by the lower surfaces ofthe upper flanges thereof, each of said rollers being' revolubly mounted on the projecting end o l a shaft whereby said rollers may be located adjacent to the web of said flanged section, thereby affording a firm support for said section, a spring-support for said shaft and means for vertically and laterally adjusting said support.

15. The combination with a punching-machine, of an apparatus for carrying I-bcams or flanged sections therethrough, comprising a plurality of rollers located adjacently and oppositely in pairs, each of said rollers heilig revolubly mounted upon the projecting end of a shaft, aspring-support for said shaft and means for vertically and laterally adjusting the same.

16. rlhe combination with a punching-niachine, of an apparatus for carrying I-bcanis or flanged sections therethrough, comprising a plurality of rollers oppositcly and adjaccntly located in pairs, each of said rollers being' rerolubly mounted upon the projecting end of a shaft, a spring-support for said shaft, means for verticallyand laterally adjusting said support, a pair of side rollers arranged to bear one on either side of the web of said section, and means for laterally adjusting' said side rollers.

17. An apparatus for supporting I-beanis and similar flanged sections by the lower snrfaees of their upper flanges, comprising a pair of carrying-rollers revolubly mounted on the overhanging ends of projecting shafts, supports for said shafts, the upper portion of same projecting inwardly and arranged toward each other, means for carrying and adjusting said supports both vertically and laterally, the whole forming an arrangement whereby the supporting-rollers are close together, providing at the same time an enlarged opening below said rollers to permit the passage of the beam therethrough.

18. The combination with a punching-machine, of a pair of oppositely-locatcd carrying-rollers revolubly mounted on or near the ends of overhanging shafts, supports for said shafts inwardly projecting at their upper ends and nearer together than the lower portions lOO llO

`on the overhanging end of a shaft, and arranged in `juxtaposition for, supporting the upper beam-flanges by their lower surfaces, spring-supports for said shafts, means for vertically and laterally adjusting said supports, an opening below said rollers of size suflicient to permit the passage of the lower In testimony whereof I hereto afx my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN J. DAVIES. Witnesses:

GEO. BEA'PTY, ELMER SEAVEY. 

